Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to amend the Minnesota Paid Leave Law to provide specific exemptions and clarifications on what constitutes "covered employment" within the state. It specifically introduces an exemption for certain religious roles and offers a framework for them optionally to be covered under the paid leave law.

Main Provisions

• Covered Employment Definition: The bill outlines what qualifies as covered employment for the purposes of the Minnesota Paid Leave Law, highlighting that it includes services performed for wages or under any form of service contract, regardless of whether the employment takes place in Minnesota or elsewhere if the primary residence is in Minnesota.
• Religious Order Exemption: It grants an exemption to clergy, specifically excluding "duly ordained or licensed ministers" and "members of a religious order" from being classified under covered employment when they are performing duties required by their order or ministry.
• Opt-in Clause: Entities excluded from the paid leave law, such as religious organizations, can choose to opt in for coverage under a process established by the commissioner.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The notable change introduced by this bill is the explicit exemption of religious ministers and members of religious orders from being considered under covered employment for paid leave benefits. This codifies the separation of certain religious roles from general employment law requirements regarding paid leave, unless voluntarily decided otherwise by the entity.

Relevant Terms

• Minnesota Paid Leave Law
• Covered employment
• Self-employed individual
• Independent contractor
• Religious order exemption
• Opt-in coverage
• Ministry duties